Our Favourite All-American Experiences

03 October 2018

Whichever part of the United States you choose to visit, there are iconic experiences and places to go that should be on every traveller’s bucket list. We’ve picked out our must-sees and must-dos in some of our best-loved US destinations.

Drive Route 66

The historic ‘Mother Road’ takes you 3,940km from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California, via Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and LA. Hire an open-top Mustang for the full-on retro experience and be sure to stop for food at Lou Mitchell’s on Jackson Boulevard, the original starting point for Route 66 in 1926. In New Mexico, head to Tia Sophia’s in Santa Fe for breakfast or lunch; think great authentic New Mexican food and the best chilli you can buy. And visit the Dollar Bill Bar in Oatman, Arizona, to add to the collection of signed dollar bills on the walls – a tradition started by miners.

“On Day 6 my travels took me from Gallup and the Eagle Cafe – the oldest restaurant on the Route - through Albuquerque to Santa Fe, where we took a day off to enjoy the sights. Day 8 we went through Apache Canyon and over Glorieta Pass to Amarillo. Day 9 involved going across the Texas Panhandle. We stopped at two Route 66 museums. In Oklahoma City we even managed to catch a baseball game between the OKC Redhawks and the Iowa Cubs.”

Shop (or window-shop!) on Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills

Three blocks of luxury, fashion and lifestyle including more than 100 world-renowned stores and hotels make this one of the world’s swankiest places to shop. Head to Two Rodeo Drive for ultra-luxe brands such as Versace, Jimmy Choo, Lanvin and Tiffany & Co, and dine in style outdoors at 208 Rodeo Restaurant.

Watch a baseball game

Whether it’s at the Yankee Stadium in NYC, the AT&T Park in San Francisco, the Dodger Stadium in LA or Fenway Park for the Boston Red Sox, watching this classic American game is always exciting. Choose a team and take to the stands with a hot dog or a sundae according to the weather dependent.

Catch a Broadway show

From feel-good musicals that will get you up off your seat and dancing to ones that need some tissues, New York City’s iconic theatre district has plenty to offer – recent blockbusters have included Chicago, Mamma Mia!, Wicked, The Phantom of the Opera and the massively acclaimed Hamilton. If you’re not a musical fan, there are plenty of plays on offer too. For the cheapest tickets, wait in line at one of TDF’s four TKTS booths on the day of the show; the best option is Lincoln Center’s David Rubenstein Atrium (Broadway at 62nd Street), which is the least busy and is also indoors – a plus when it’s too hot or cold.

Eat big food

Fried chicken and barbecue ribs, burgers, hot dogs and pretzels with Oreo milkshakes, tacos and fajitas, salt-beef sandwiches and classic desserts such as Key Lime pie and pecan pie. The USA is a foodie destination second to none when it comes to variety – as well as to portion size. Remember that wherever you go in the country, it’s customary to tip your waiter.

For more information or to book your American adventure, contact your Travel Counsellor.